The Promise Chronicle, April 2025 Newsletter
We are a monthly newsletter where our aim is to provide actionable ideas to help you grow and implement God’s word into your life.
Belonging
For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, these are sons of God. For you
did not receive the spirit of bondage
again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out “Abba, Father”
Romans 8:14 (NKJV)
Today At A Glance
Health Tips & Habit Building, Part 4
Trust God and His Process, Live the Life
Psalms I Can't Stop Thinking About.
The War of Thrones: Exalting Self vs. Exalting God
Strength in Waiting
Hebrew Word of the Month
Newsletter Challenge
Health Tip
Legs-Elevated Relaxation
Legs up the wall for 5–10 minutes a day (a.k.a. Viparita Karani pose)
Why it’s amazing:
• Relieves tired legs and feet
• Improves circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Reduces stress and calms the nervous system
• Supports digestion and relaxation
• Helps lower heart rate and blood pressure
How to do it:
Lie on your back with your legs straight up against a wall (or propped on a chair/couch). Breathe slowly and let gravity do the work.
Great before bed or after a long day on your feet. Super simple, surprisingly powerful.
Practice Deep Breathing
• Try box breathing (inhale 4 sec – hold 4 sec – exhale 4 sec – hold 4 sec).
• This enhances relaxation, lowers cortisol, and centers your mind.
Pray or Meditate
• Use the stillness to connect with God or reflect on Scripture.
• Try meditating on a verse like: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Breath Prayer
• Inhale: “Jesus, I trust You.”
• Exhale: “You are my peace.”
• A simple breath prayer aligns heart and mind with God.
Listen to Calm Worship or Instrumental Music
• Soft music can deepen the restful effect. Focus on your breathing and let the music minister to your spirit.
Habit Building, Part 4
Sometimes people wonder if it’s better to focus on one habit at a time or to build multiple habits. My answer is nearly always to focus on one habit. Not only is this simpler, but it also addresses an often-overlooked aspect of habit formation: when you’re building one habit, you’re often building multiple habits.
Take the habit of eating healthier. There are actually a variety of habits involved in this process. You have to build the habit of going to the grocery store and shopping for new items, the habit of meal planning and deciding what to eat each week, the habit of chopping and prepping food each night, the habit of cleaning up after the meal, and so on. Eating a healthy meal is actually the easiest part. It’s often the preparation that causes you to quit.
This is true for many habits – not just eating healthy. One way to increase the odds that your habits will be performed is to walk into an environment that is ready for the habit.
This strategy is called “priming the environment.” That is, creating an environment that favors the habit that you’re trying to build.
Environment design, as we discussed in the last newsletter, makes the cues of good habits more obvious. Reducing friction, as discussed in Lesson 5, makes performing habits in the moment easier.
Priming the environment adds one more layer: it’s a way to make your future habits easier.
Here are some examples:
Want to read the Bible more? Set up a comfortable, quiet place in
your home where you can enjoy your coffee/tea and read your Bible.Want to encourage your children to read more? Help them make a
reading nook in their bedroom with some comfy pillows and plenty
of age-appropriate Biblical reading material.Want to walk more? Set up a reminder to remind you at the time you
would like to walk each day, and set up a daily walk goal.Want to sleep better and develop a wind-down routine? Move your phone charger out of the bedroom and place a white noise machine, your favorite candle, and a couple of books on your nightstand.
Whenever you organize a space for its intended purpose, you are priming it to make your future actions easy. Now your environment is ready for immediate use the next time around.
Whether we are approaching behavior change as an individual, a parent, a coach, or a leader, we should ask ourselves the same questions: “How can we design a world where it’s easy to do what’s right? How can we prime our environments so our future habits are easier?”
Ideally, the actions that matter most should also be the actions that are easiest to do.
Summary
If you want to make a habit a big part of your life, you need to make the cue
a big part of your environment.The less friction associated with a habit, the more likely it is to occur. Create an
environment where doing the right thing is as easy as possible.
You want to make your good habits the path of least resistance.One way to increase the odds that your habits will be performed is to walk
into an environment that is ready for the habit. Whenever you organize a
space for its intended purpose, you are priming it to make your future
actions easy.
Trust God and His Process, Live the Life
Stay the Course: Trust God and His Process
Stay the Course: Trust God and His Process
Anointed for Victory: Trusting Like David, Not Falling Like Solomon
In the grand narrative of Scripture, two kings stand out as defining figures in Israel’s history: David and his son Solomon. Both were chosen by God. Both were blessed. But the way they responded to God's presence shaped their legacy—and their relationship with the Lord.
One was forged in the wilderness. The other was raised in a palace. One had to wait and trust God through hardship. The other inherited the throne in peace and prosperity. Their stories teach us a critical truth: it’s not the calling that sustains us—it’s our trust in God through the process.
David: Anointed, but Not Yet Appointed
David was just a teenager when the prophet Samuel anointed him to be the future king of Israel (1 Samuel 16). At the time, he was a shepherd boy—overlooked by his own father. Yet God saw something deeper: a heart after His own (Acts 13:22).
But David’s anointing didn’t lead straight to the throne. Instead, it launched him into years of hardship—rejection, exile, betrayal, and battle. These weren’t setbacks; they were setups. God used these years to shape David’s character, to teach him how to lead with humility, how to worship in a cave as well as in a palace, and how to depend fully on Him.
David made mistakes—some serious ones—but his posture of repentance was what set him apart. He kept returning to the Lord. That’s what made David a man after God's own heart: not perfection, but unwavering trust.
Solomon: Gifted Without the Grind
Solomon, David’s son, inherited a throne he didn’t have to fight for. His reign began with peace, prosperity, and promise. When given the chance to ask for anything, Solomon humbly requested wisdom to govern well (1 Kings 3:9). God was pleased and granted him not only wisdom but riches, honor, and unmatched influence.
But over time, Solomon’s prosperity became his downfall. His foreign wives turned his heart toward false gods (1 Kings 11:4–6). Unlike David, Solomon never returned to the Lord. His story is one of slow drift—of a man who started well but ended in compromise.
What was missing? Intimacy. Solomon received wisdom as a gift but lacked the deep trust forged through trial. He didn’t have to depend on God for deliverance like David did. As a result, he forgot the source of his strength.
The Moral: Trust the Process, Trust the Promise
David’s life teaches us something vital: God’s preparation is part of His promise. The trials, the waiting, the silence—they are not signs of His absence, but of His investment in you. God prepares us not just for what we are called to do, but for who we are called to become.
Solomon’s life is a warning: gifts without intimacy lead to drift. Prosperity without dependency breeds pride. If we bypass the process, we risk building something that looks successful on the outside but has no eternal value.
We are invited to be like David—people after God’s own heart. That means we don’t just seek His blessings—we seek Him. When we do, the promise of Ephesians 3:20 comes alive:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”
Jesus in You: The Power Is Always On
Here’s the good news: the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives in you (Romans 8:11). Jesus is the Vine—you are the branch. What flows in Him flows in you.
That means Heaven’s reality is always available. The power of God is always present—because the presence of God is always with you. Just like God was with Jesus, He is with you. And wherever there is a man or woman filled with God, the power is always available.
Too often, we let our natural senses dictate what we believe is possible. But faith is not based on feelings—faith is based on knowing. When you know, it flows. How many miracles are missed because we’re waiting instead of acting? How many times has the Holy Spirit been ready to move—but we held back, waiting for a feeling?
Faith will get you what the gifts will get you.
Jesus said in John 14:16–17:
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth… you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
The Holy Spirit is not distant. He dwells in you. And with Him comes power, wisdom, comfort, and the ability to walk in victory every day.
Final Encouragement: Stay the Course
You may feel like David—anointed, but not yet appointed. Or maybe you relate more to Solomon—blessed, but drifting.
Either way, today is your invitation to return to the heart of God. Trust His process. Believe His promises. Know that if Christ is in you, He is able to do more than all you ask or imagine.
Don’t let your season define your destiny. Stay connected to the Vine. Stay the course. Keep looking at Jesus.
Because when you do, victory isn’t just possible—it’s promised.
Belonging."
Led by the Spirit - Romans 8:14 This shows that being led by the Spirit is evidence of relationship — a daily walk with God where He directs our steps.
Sons of God - Galatians 3:26 Being a child of God isn’t just a title — it means we belong to His family and share in His promises
Spirit of adoption - Romans 8:15 Adoption means we’re not guests—we are full members of God’s household.
Abba, Father - Galatians 4:6 This shows the closeness we now enjoy with God—not as slaves, but as beloved children.
Adoption – Ephesians 1:5 Adoption gives us the legal and eternal standing as part of God’s family through Jesus.
Sonship – Romans 8:17 Sonship not only changes who we are—it changes what we have access to.
Intimacy – James 4:8 The Spirit invites us into ongoing closeness and communion with our Father.
Freedom – Galatians 5:1 God didn’t call us into fear or slavery—but into freedom through the Spirit.
Identity – 2 Corinthians 5:17 Our identity is now rooted in Christ—we are new creations, transformed from the inside out.
Psalm I Can’t Stop Thinking About
Psalm 27 (NKJV)
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?When the wicked came against me
To eat[a] up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.6 And now my head shall be [c]lifted up above
my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His
tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out
violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
The War of Thrones
Exalting Self vs. Exalting God
In the unseen spiritual realm, two kingdoms are at war:
The Kingdom of Light, led by Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
The Kingdom of Darkness, led by Satan, the deceiver who once was Lucifer.
At the heart of this conflict lies a battle of posture (how we position our hearts) —not power (God has all the power).
It is a battle between pride and humility, self-promotion and self-denial, deception and truth.
Look at the contrast between the "Five I’s" of Satan, rooted in pride and ambition, and the "Five I’s" of Jesus, rooted in humility and service:
The “Five I’s” of Satan: Pride’s Poisoned Path
In Isaiah 14:12–15, we are given a glimpse into the heart of Lucifer before his fall. He said in his heart:
“I will ascend into heaven,”
“I will exalt my throne above the stars of God,”
“I will sit on the mount of the congregation,”
“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,”
“I will be like the Most High.”
Each statement is saturated with self-will, self-glory, and self-exaltation. Lucifer did not fall because of weakness, but because of pride. He did not desire to serve—he desired to rise, to rule, and to rival God Himself.
“You have said in your heart…” – That’s where it begins: self-centered ambition hidden in the heart.
“Yet you shall be brought down…” – That’s where it ends: cast down, broken, defeated (Isaiah 14:15).
The origin of self-centeredness is not culture or trauma—it is Satan. He is the father of lies and the master manipulator, whose goal is to twist our desires into prideful ambition. Even good things—success, recognition, provision—can become footholds for deception if our hearts seek to share in God’s glory rather than reflect it.
Now, What an Awesome Contrast, Look at the “Five I’s” of Christ: The Path of Humility
In complete contrast, Philippians 2:5–11 outlines the downward descent of Jesus—a descent not into defeat, but into perfect submission and ultimate exaltation. Jesus, fully God, modeled true greatness through humility:
He made Himself of no reputation
He took the form of a bondservant
He came in the likeness of men
He humbled Himself
He became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross
Jesus didn’t come to ascend in status—He came to descend into our brokenness. He didn’t exalt Himself—God exalted Him. And because He submitted fully, God gave Him the name above every name.
This is the model for us:
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5)
Two Kingdoms, Two Ways
The way of Satan is the way of self:
Self-promotion
Self-importance
Self-gratification
Self-dependence
The way of Jesus is the way of surrender:
Deny yourself
Take up your cross
Follow Him
Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself...” (Luke 9:23). That’s not metaphorical. It’s a daily decision to crucify the “I” and let Christ reign in our hearts.
A Purged Heart Doesn’t Look for Glory
Here’s the truth: when your heart is purged of the high things of self, you stop looking for recognition. You stop needing the spotlight. You don’t crave credit, applause, or affirmation.
You just want Him.
You love Him.
You obey Him.
Whether He asks you to speak on a stage or serve in secret, it doesn’t matter. You’re free. Because your joy isn’t in being seen—it’s in being surrendered.
Psalm 131 captures this perfectly:
“Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes arrogant...
I have soothed and quieted my soul like a weaned child.” (Psalm 131:1–2)
This is the rested soul—the soul not striving to be exalted, but content to be hidden in God.
Guarding Against Subtle Pride
When God begins to use you—especially when He begins to use you—be on guard. There’s a subtle danger in thinking, “God chose me because I’m something special.” That’s the very path that led Satan to ruin.
Remember:
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
If God uses you mightily, give Him all the glory. If He hides you in the secret place, rejoice in being known by Him alone.
Living in Victory Over Pride
Satan’s strategies are old, predictable, and powerless against a yielded heart. Scripture tells us how to stand firm:
Ephesians 6:11 – Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
James 4:7 – Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
By renewing our minds in God’s Word, surrendering our desires, and walking in the humility of Christ, we gain spiritual strength and walk in freedom. Satan has already been defeated—our only battle is to stay rooted in truth.
Final Word: The Glory Belongs to Jesus
In the end, there are only two ways to live: exalting self or exalting Jesus.
Let us choose daily to follow the lowly path—the path Jesus walked first. May our hearts be purged of pride, our eyes fixed on Him, and our lives lived as vessels of His glory. Whether known or unknown, seen or hidden—let it all point to Jesus.
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10–11)
Actionable Steps:
Start the Day with Surrender (Morning Prayer of Humility)
“Lord, today is not about me. Use me for Your glory. I decrease so You may increase.”
Practice Hidden Acts of Service
Do something kind on purpose that no one sees and no one thanks you for—whether it’s a prayer for someone, cleaning without being asked, or giving anonymously.
It conditions your heart to serve for God, not glory.Speak Less of Self, More of Christ
In conversations, resist the urge to self-promote. Instead, boast in God’s faithfulness.
Try:“God’s been teaching me…”
“The Lord helped me through…”
This keeps the focus off your accomplishments and onto His goodness.Thank God Publicly and Privately
Take intentional moments—especially after a win, breakthrough, or compliment—to say:
“God, all glory is Yours.”
Then, if appropriate, say it out loud to others too. It breaks pride before it forms.Reflect Each Night with Psalm 131 Posture
Before bed, reflect:
Did I try to be “seen” today?
Did I act from pride or from love?
Then whisper Psalm 131:2:
“Like a weaned child with its mother, my soul is quieted within me.”
This closes your day with spiritual rest and keeps your heart soft.
These aren't grand gestures—they’re daily heart checks that keep the throne of your life occupied by Jesus, not ego.
Strength in Waiting
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.”
— Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
Waiting is one of the hardest parts of faith. We want to see God’s promises fulfilled now, but His timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. Throughout Scripture, we see men and women of God endure long seasons of waiting—Abraham for a son, Joseph for his purpose, Moses for his calling, David for his throne, and even Jesus for the right time to begin His ministry. In each case, the waiting was not wasted; it was a time of preparation, refining, and deepening trust in God.
In Isaiah 40:31, the word “wait” comes from the Hebrew qavah ( קָוָה ), meaning to bind together (as by twisting), to expect, or to hope. Waiting on the Lord is not passive; it is an active expectation, a hopeful trust that binds us to Him as we prepare for what He has promised.
In the New Testament, the Greek word for waiting often used is hypomonē (ὑπομονή), which means steadfast endurance, perseverance, or patient expectation. It is not just sitting still but remaining firm in faith through trials. James 1:3-4 tells us that “when your faith is tested, your endurance (hypomonē) has a chance to grow.
So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
Think of Joseph—thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. For thirteen years, he waited for God’s promise to come to pass. Yet, during that time, God was preparing him, shaping his character, and positioning him for leadership. If Joseph had rushed the process, he wouldn’t have been ready to save Egypt and his family.
David, anointed as king in his youth, spent fifteen years waiting while hiding in caves and fleeing from Saul. But in the waiting, he learned to rely on God as his refuge.
Even Jesus waited. Though fully God, He did not start His public ministry until the right time (Galatians 4:4). His years of preparation mattered.
If you find yourself in a season of waiting today, be encouraged. God is working behind the scenes, even when you can’t see it. Waiting is not wasted—it is an opportunity to grow in faith, to be refined, and to align your heart with God’s perfect will.
Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You in the waiting.
Strengthen my faith and teach me to persevere with hopeful expectation. I know You are preparing me for what’s ahead. Let me not grow weary but learn to soar on wings like eagles. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection:
What promise are you waiting on from God?
How can you shift your mindset to see waiting as preparation rather than delay?
Meditate on Isaiah 40:31 and ask God to renew your strength today.
God’s timing is always perfect. Keep waiting with qavah—hopeful expectation—and hypomonē—steadfast endurance. The promise will come, and when it does, you will be ready.
Biblical Word of the Month!
Naham (נַחַם),
Pronunciation: nah-khahm
“Naham” is a hebrew word meaning comfort and compassion, especially during times of distress.
What It Means:
“Naham” is the Hebrew word for comfort, but it carries with it a profound and restorative meaning. It’s more than just offering a kind word or a hug during times of sadness. It signifies a deep emotional and spiritual renewal—a healing that comes directly from God Himself. This type of comfort restores the soul and brings peace, even in the midst of pain.
Why It Matters:
In the Bible, this word is often associated with God's compassion and His ability to soothe the brokenhearted. It appears when God comforts His people after loss, distress, or trouble. In Isaiah 40:1, God says, "Comfort, comfort my people," offering a promise of hope after judgment. It is also used in moments when God experiences sorrow or grief over human sin, such as in Genesis 6:6, where it says God "was sorry" He created humankind. This reflects God's empathy and His nearness during our moments of pain, bringing both comfort and restoration.
Fun Fact:
In the Old Testament, “Naham” is often used to describe God's tenderness toward His people. Interestingly, it also reflects a change of heart or a shift in direction, not out of weakness, but out of love and mercy. When God "relents" or "changes His mind," it is a demonstration of His mercy, showing He does not delight in judgment, but desires to heal and restore.
What About You?:
Can you think of a time when you experienced the deep comfort of God during a tough season? Or perhaps a moment when you offered “Naham” comfort to someone else, sharing God's healing presence?
Kingdom Promise Foundation
As we reflect on the insights shared in this issue of The Promise Chronicle, let’s remember that small, consistent steps rooted in faith lead to lasting transformation. Whether it’s walking after dinner for better health, praying daily, reframing fears through God’s promises, or building habits that align with His will, the key is starting where you are and trusting God for the rest.
This Month’s Newsletter Challenge: The Throne Belongs to Jesus
Week 1: Expose the “I”
Isaiah 14:12–15 - Heart Check: Pride often begins in subtle thoughts. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any “I will” motives—ambitions rooted in self-glory rather than God’s purpose.
Action: Write down one area where self has taken the throne. Surrender it to God in prayer.
Declaration: “Jesus, the throne belongs to You—not me.”
Week 2: Embrace the Mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5–8 - Heart Check: Am I more focused on being seen than on serving?
Action: Do one hidden act of service this week—no credit, no spotlight, no need to tell anyone. Just serve for His glory.
Prayer: “Lord, teach me to serve with no agenda but love.”
Week 3: Speak to Glorify, Not Magnify
Proverbs 27:2 & Psalm 115:1 - Heart Check: Do my words draw attention to God—or to me?
Action: In conversations, shift the spotlight to God. When someone praises you, respond with:
“God’s been good.”
Reminder: “My words are worship—they belong to Him.”
Week 4: Bow Low, Stay Low
Philippians 2:9–11 & Psalm 131 - Heart Check: Am I striving for significance, or resting in sonship?
Action: Physically kneel or bow before God in prayer this week. Let that posture remind you that Jesus reigns, not your ambitions.
Final Reflection: “When I bow low, He is lifted high.”
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Wrapping It Up
